The Irish government has won the vote approving the second stage of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill by 138 votes to 24.
They lost four votes from Fine Gael TDs who have now been removed from the party and told to vacate their offices.
Fine Gael TDs Terence Flanagan, Peter Matthews, Billy Timmins and Brian Walsh voted against the Bill, as did Sinn Fein’s Peadar Toibin.
“The Government position has been outlined very clearly. The consequences of voting against the Government are clear,” the prime minister’s spokesman said.
The bill will allow for abortion in Ireland in limited and carefully controlled circumstances, including a risk to the life of the mother due to suicide. The government says it is merely legislating for a Supreme Court decision that was made on the issue, the Irish Times reports.
Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Irish-leader-fires-four-members-of-his-party-after-they-voted-against-abortion-legislation-214116871.html#ixzz2Y0iIuXAl
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